Green Ribbon recommendations interests local businesses

Daily Business Examiner – 7/1/08

Tacoma City Council and city administrators heard final reports today from the Green Ribbon Climate Action Task Force, which was charged with developing policy and strategy recommendations for carbon reduction goals in Tacoma. Appointed in February of 2007, the local volunteers have spent the past year collecting data and formulating definitions and strategies that will help guide Tacoma officials as they continue seeking to substantially reduce citywide carbon emissions by 2012. 

Businesses will want to take note of recommendations calling for an energy audit before buildings are sold; aggressive development of ridesharing, carpooling and other commute trip reduction strategies; renewed efforts to discourage chain parking; implementation of a transfer of development rights program; creation of a green building advocate within an unnamed city department, who would assist developers seeking to build to environmentally-friendly LEED standards within city limits; and recommendations to encourage telecommuting and flexible/alternative work schedules for public and private-sector employees whose duties can be performed from home.

All recommendations are still subject to review, budgetary restraints and will be reviewed and prioritized in the months to come. 

Kathy S. Cocus

Director of Business Development

Kitsap Economic Development Alliance

4312 Kitsap Way, Suite 103

Bremerton, WA 98312

360.377.0180  fax: 360.479.3712

cocus@kitsapeda.org    www.kitsapeda.org